This article highlights a curated selection of Arab art exhibitions across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific that are worth traveling to this summer. Featured shows include "Captives: Art and Slavery in the Modern Mediterranean" at the Arab World Institute in Paris, Tarek Atoui's sound installation "Sunflowers" at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Wael Shawky's film-opera "Drama 1882" at the Grand Palais in Paris, and "The Lost Paintings: A Prelude to Return" at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, among others. The exhibitions span archaeology, contemporary installation, sound, film, and painting, with a focus on regional histories, memory, and diaspora.
This roundup matters because it underscores a growing international institutional focus on Arab and Middle Eastern art, moving beyond the region itself to engage global audiences. By featuring diverse practices—from historical examinations of slavery to speculative fiction about Palestinian memory—the article signals a broader shift in the art world toward centering underrepresented narratives and artists. It also serves as a practical guide for travelers, positioning these exhibitions as cultural destinations that enrich the typical summer museum circuit.